Aurora Fire Rescue Emergency Operations Quiz

Aurora Fire Rescue Manual of Procedures

• Section 6 covers Emergency Operations
• The manual includes a comprehensive table of contents listing detailed sections covering various emergency procedures.

Section 6.1 - Incident Management

• Incident Command System (NIMS) is adopted, following guidelines from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and NFPA 1561
• Operating procedures and protocols for all emergency incidents, including drills, exercises and simulated scenarios, are included.
• Minimum of two firefighters for interior attack teams is required. Likewise, two firefighters maintain standby.
• The OSHA safety regulation on confined spaces and respiratory issues for firefighters is a widely recognized Federal standard, applicable in Colorado.
• A minimum of four members is required where only one company is present. This is to allow two members standby outside the hazard zone.
• Deviations from these guidelines are permissible in situations needing immediate action to save lives.
• Operational personnel should coordinate using visual, audible and physical means.
• Free-lancing, or operating without the approval of Command, is unacceptable.

Section 6.2 - Staffing Overview

• A minimum of 4 personnel are on duty for each company
• Battalion Chiefs can reduce staffing by 1 if necessary but only for 3 hours maximum

Section 6.3 - Shift Trades

• Shift trades are managed between members.
• Trades must be equivalent rank or approved by the Deputy Chief.
• Trades of up to 24 hours are permissible on any other shift (maximum 48 hours)
• Trades for probationary firefighters require the approval of the Deputy Chief of Operations
• The maximum time for working six trades or 144 hours that are owed to another person or individual.
• Any trade requests require confirmation by the two members involved.
• Sick leave will be charged when calling in sick on a trade.
• No-Call-No-Shows during a trade result in disciplinary actions.

Section 6.4 - Personnel Accountability

• Every supervisor is responsible for maintaining their personnel's location and function at all incidents.
• All personnel are accountable to the Incident Command System at each incident.
• The system utilizes tablet-based incident management software, Battalion Chief vehicle command boards, and company officers' mobile data terminals (MDTs).
• Helmet shields with color-coded identification passports for rank and unit designation.

Section 6.5 - Protective Clothing and Equipment

• Policies about protective clothing for specific situations like structural firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous materials and wildland firefighting are outlined.
• Procedures for eye, face, and hearing protection are also in place.
• Any alterations to protective ensembles need prior Fire Chief approval.
• Monthly inspection and record-keeping for any defects on all protective clothing items (helmets, reflective trim) must be done.

Section 6.6 - Respiratory Protection Program

• Protocols for using Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) are provided
• Guidelines for entering hazardous atmospheres are provided (e.g., fires, industrial, and toxic atmospheres, including those that lack ventilation), with SCBA usage in such cases
• OSHA, IDLH, and NFPA standards are cited.

Section 6.7 - Rules of Air Management (ROAM)

• This section emphasizes the criticality of air management among firefighters and for evacuating IDLH atmospheres before low air alarms.
• Points of no return and the importance of preventative measures are also discussed.

Section 6.8 - Firefighter Safety, Mayday and Rapid Intervention Procedures

• Building and hazard zone isolation protocols are outlined, featuring the use of color-coded tape (yellow = temporary for non-uniformed personnel; red = permanent for all personnel)
• Precise terminology is provided (Evacuate-, Withdrawal-) about incident management procedures in hazardous situations
• The intent is to facilitate faster response and resolution if immediate threat to personnel is encountered.

Section 6.9 - Accepted Practices for Structure Fires

• Predetermined tactical approaches for arriving officers are outlined.
• Procedures guide officers through evaluating type of building, conditions, and determining water supply needs.
• Information and procedures for size-ups is given for different scenarios.

Section 6.10 - Commercial Structures Accepted Practices

• Detailed guidelines focusing on operational protocols for commercial fires
• Categorized by building construction and different fire hazard factors
• Includes methods to determine if a building is unoccupied
• Guidance on fire-related hazards is identified
• Emphasis on safety protocol and evaluation of structure before any action or operations

Section 6.11 - High Rise Procedures

• Procedures for operational protocols at high-rise structures (75 ft higher)
• Includes guidelines on ensuring early and timely evacuation of occupants and ensuring safety of personnel
• Section outlines roles and responsibilities for initial and subsequent company arrival and actions
• Identification of different levels, considerations for potential hazards are stated.

Section 6.12 - Rehabilitation and Medical Monitoring

• Procedures emphasize formal and informal rehabilitation strategies at the incident scene.
• Conditions requiring formal and informal rehab are established and discussed (heat index above 90 degrees or wind-chill index below 10 degrees).
• Rehab protocols (rest, hydration, cooling, and accountability release) need to occur during extended operations.

Section 6.13- Medical Support Unit Program

• The purpose of the Medical Support Unit Program is to manage the high call volume of medical emergencies
• Objectives include: personnel load management, adequate citywide coverage during peak emergency response time, coverage for large-scale incidents.

### Section 6.14 - Mass Casualty Incidents

• Standardized roles and procedures to enhance coordinated effort among various entities during a mass casualty event (MCI).
• Includes identification of best uses of resources with prioritization for triage
• Establish staging areas for ambulances and support transport strategies

Section 6.15 - Coordination with Aurora Police Department/Law Enforcement

• Protocols for joint response to incidents (both departments) are outlined
• This includes procedures for establishing and maintaining communications and transitions of command in different situations
• Procedures aim at improving safety for both Fire and Police personnel when they respond to one another's calls (and vice versa)

### Section 6.16 - Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response

• Addresses procedures for active shooter/hostile situations (ASHER)
• Defines areas and responsibilities
• Outlines roles and responsibilities for the first and the subsequent responding units, and special team roles
• Includes protocol for handling different weapon types and associated safety concerns.
• Identifies how to handle hostage/rescue situations.

Section 6.17 - Civil Unrest/Terrorism

• Guides first responders' actions at unrest and terrorist events.
• Protocol changes for responding in these conditions, including modified approach and response plans for different crisis levels.
• Roles and responsibilities are assigned
• Communications and cooperation with APD is emphasized.

Section 6.18 - Bomb Threat/Explosive Devices

• Procedures cover bomb threats and explosives
• Procedures include pre-explosion and post-explosion response plans, including securing areas, evacuation, and handling hazardous materials.
• Collaboration with authorities, including APD and the Bomb Squad, is paramount.
• Responsibilities for identification of explosive materials are assigned to Fire Investigators, and an appropriate protocol is established.

Section 6.19 - Commuter/Light Rail Response

• Procedures are for responding to commuter and light rail accidents.
• Procedures cover various circumstances like the risk of contact with overhead power lines.
• Safety procedures, triage and transport protocols for passengers and railway crew are highlighted

Section 6.20 - Unconventional Requests for Service

• Outlines procedures for non-standard or unconventional calls (e.g., requests for mutual aid, large-scale events)
• Includes procedures for multiple alarm responses and communicating with other organizations and departments when requests for mutual aid are required.

Section 6.21 - Requesting Air Ambulance

• Details procedures for requesting a helicopter ambulance
• Establishing landing zones (LZs) for helicopter ambulances, and maintaining safety conditions
• Duties and responsibilities for the officer managing LZ, pre-flight phases

Section 6.22 - Utility (Natural Gas) Emergencies

• Procedures address gas leak and pipeline emergencies.
• Procedures cover strategies, including evacuation, isolation/shutdown of gas lines, and notification of specialists.
• Risk assessment and safety procedures are essential when responding to these incidents.

Section 6.23 - Response to Carbon Monoxide Alarms

• Protocols for responding to carbon monoxide alarms
• The criteria and procedures for evacuating building and assessing occupant health are included.

Section 6.24 - Traffic Incident Management

• Procedures focus on coordinating between Fire Rescue and local law enforcement (APD/ACSO) in traffic incidents. These incidents include: safety considerations, proper setup for apparatus to prevent harm and protection for crews and public, and traffic control measures
• Procedures and techniques for handling roadside incidents, creating safe zones to protect responders and the public, and communication are included

Section 6.25 - Response to Automatic Fire Alarms

• Guidelines for investigating automatically triggered alarms
• Procedures for locating fire, identifying the cause of activation, and evacuating or mitigating potential threats are included.
• Emphasis is on minimizing disruption and assuring building safety

Section 6.26 - Standardized Company Evolutions

• Standard procedures for training to ensure proficiency
• Establishing standardized and recurring company level training exercises and drills (e.g., for Engine and Ladder Companies).

Section 6.27 - Elevator and Standpipe Operations

• Procedures for safely deploying and using elevators and standpipes in emergencies.
• The procedures describe how to operate the equipment, safety considerations, and how to avoid potential problems.

Section 6.28 - Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC)

• Using Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs) for operations. Proper use (conditions, safety concerns).
• The purpose of these guidelines is to describe when and how TICs should be used during emergency response

Section 6.29 - Post Incident Analysis (PIA)

• Procedures regarding analyzing incidents
• This section emphasizes the importance of post-incident review to identify areas for improvement and enhance future emergency response
• The role of the Incident Commander in orchestrating the post-incident analysis process is highlighted.

Section 6.30 - Personnel Roving Policy

• Procedures for covering staffing shortages
• Details personnel and tasks that can be transferred between stations and emergency personnel that are available.

Section 6.31 - Station Communications

• Procedures for inter-shift communication (and vice versa) within the department
• Procedures for written and verbal communication, station logs, and continuity of operations are detailed.

Section 6.32 - Ballistic Gear Use and Maintenance

• Protocols concerning use and maintenance of ballistic gear
• Conditions when ballistic gear use is required
• This section emphasizes safe working procedures when handling or operating in potentially dangerous conditions.

Section 6.33 - Appendix

• Supplementary information (ex. ballistic vest user guide)